Kyrgyzstan\'s gold exports increased 38.8 percent in the first half of 2004 against a backdrop of rising world prices for the precious metal. According to the country\'s National Bank, the main buyers of Kyrgyz gold in the first half of 2004 were the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland. National Bank head Ulan Sarbonov told a 9 August news conference that the country\'s GDP totaled $813 million in the first half of 2004, a 9.2 percent increase on the second half of 2003, Kabar news agency reported. Industrial production rose 18.1 percent for the period. (RFE/RL)